As a high school football player at Canutillo High School, Bo Brooks was one of the top safeties in the city, helping lead the Eagles to the third round of the Class 5A state football playoffs as a junior and the state semifinals as a senior.

Now the talented Brooks is making waves as a senior at NCAA Division II Missouri S&T, which competes in the Great Lakes Valley Conference. Brooks has been steady all season long — with 47 tackles tackles, 10 tackles for a loss, three pass breakups and one fumble recovery.

"People asked me if I played linebacker before but I hadn't," Brooks said. "The move has added another dimension to my game. It's been fun for me. There is less space to cover and I can come off the edge or drop back into coverage."

Bo Brooks(Photo11: Courtesy)

Brooks helped the Missouri S&T Miners as soon as he got there, and he has improved every year. As a freshman, he had 32 tackles and three pass breakups. As a sophomore, he collected 67 tackles, five pass breakups and a blocked kick. Then last year, he recorded 68 tackles.

"It's been a great time here at Missouri S&T. We have gotten better each year," said Brooks, who has helped the Miners earn a 4-2 record entering Saturday's game vs. William Jewell. "The school had a good reputation. I was fortunate to step in right away as a freshman and help the team. That first year helped me so much getting adjusted to the speed of the game."

The 6-foot-4 Brooks has also added 35 pounds to his frame since high school. He played at 170 during his senior year for the Eagles and now weighs 205.

He's also attracted some attention from NFL scouts because of play on the field and his speed.

"If I get the chance at the next level, I would love that opportunity," he said. "But I want to finish this year strong and help us get to the playoffs."

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Eastlake Head Coach Jay Calderon shakes hands with Canutillo Head Coach Scott Brooks after Eastlake’s 17-14 win earlier this season. Brook is the father of Bo Brooks, who is having a strong season for Division II, Missouri S&T.(Photo11: Mark Lambie / El Paso Times)

But Brooks is also a great student and will graduate soon with a degree in petroleum engineering.

Brooks comes from a football family. His father, Scott, is the head football coach at Canutillo and his grandfather Don Brooks was the longtime head coach at Coronado.

"I had an unfair advantage because I had two great people to learn the game from," Bo Brooks said. "I think being around them made me more coachable."

Scott Brooks said, "Our family is proud of Bo. He has worked hard and done a great job both in the classroom and in football. He has really worked so hard to get better in the sport and he has a love for the game. It's been fun to see his development as a player."

Felix F. Chavez may be reached at 546-6167; fchavez@elpasotimes.com;@Fchavezeptimes on Twitter